I had the opportunity to speak to and share a few of my ideas with a business women’s lunch group yesterday. It’s always encouraging to see people excited about business enterprises. I have focused on ethical issues and personal character development for many years, and I fear that some days I think and talk a little outside of what others have stopped to consider about our lives. Speaking seriously about how we make decisions, why we respond with certain behaviors, and how it impacts our future is rather heavy stuff!

I’m looking inside myself this morning – of all my priorities – my desire is to be respected for my willingness to be held accountable in all areas of my life – business and personal. By no means am I perfect. Jim and I sat this morning commenting on the aging and growth process – why do we still do things that in hindsight, we wish we hadn’t?  Some might refer to it as the human experience. But as we serve in the business community we grow. Every opportunity I have to serve others is a blessing. We are blessed.

Blogging is not my favorite thing to do! What I cherish, however, is being able to communicate with my clients and friends on subjects that are relevant to our everyday lives. AND, real estate is an important part of my life—and yours. Life changes—and how we adapt to every aspect of societal adjustments will foretell our happiness, success and peaceful existence. We look around us and many circumstances are foreign to our nature—wouldn’t my grandmother be astonished to find that I live in a house with a waterfall in the backyard. She would think I was rich—but no, it’s very common. And gas prices, the incredible fresh vegetable choices at the grocery store, the video player my grandchildren watch when they are taking a car trip, the Dollar Store with the vast array of fun “junk”. What does not change is human nature.

Studying how we make decisions, grow in character, and seek satisfaction has been an on-going professional focus for me. Teaching ethics classes (beginning in the mid-1990’s) has helped me understand not only myself, but other Realtors. Each of us comes from different backgrounds, and has a variety of goals. I am amazed that any professional can simply focus on earning a commission. The needs of families who are approaching a move are extreme, traumatic and various. Developing a “servant’s heart” was taught to me very early in my career—and I am grateful for that guidance. I want to pass that on to other Realtors with whom I have transactions; and, I want my clients to experience the seriousness I place on their situation.

Much too serious a topic. However, it is the way I have approached my work. But here’s the question: why do people choose their agent based on lies, puffed up values, and promises that are never going to be fulfilled? Beats the socks off of me. I know I can’t relate to everyone, and I don’t want to. But with so many new Realtors entering our marketplace, and I know that the statistics aren’t in their favor for long term success, how can the good Realtors really serve the consumer? What do you want?